Yaqut al-Hamawi

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Yaqut (Yaqut ibn-'Abdullah al-Rumi al-Hamawi)

(Arabic: ياقوت الحموي الرومي)

(1179 - 1229) was a Syrian biographer and geographer. "al-Rumi" ("from Rûm") refers to his Greek (Byzantine) descent, "al-Hamawi" means that he is from Hama, Syria, and ibn-Abdullah means his father's name was Abdullah. The word yakut means ruby. He was known for his encyclopedia writings of the Muslim world.

Yaqut was sold as a slave to someone who later moved to Baghdad and recognizing Yakut's abilities, provided him with a good education. Later Yakut was freed and made several journeys. He was also a manuscript copier and seller for living.

[edit] Works

Kitab mu'jam al-buldan
Mu'jam al-udaba' , (معجم الادباء "Dictionary of Writers") written in 1226.
al-Mushtarak wadh'a wa al-Muftaraq Sa'qa ( المشترک وضعا و المفترق صعقا ), a version of which was printed in 1845 by Wüstenfeld.